The entire focus is on the child’s symptom display.

The entire focus is on the child’s symptom display.

 I know. Narcissistic and borderline personality pathology is extremely difficult to diagnose.

That’s why AB-PA doesn’t try to diagnose narcissistic or borderline personality disorder. The entire focus is on the child’s symptom display.

The issue of narcissistic pathology comes up in the diagnostic interpretation of the hostile-aggressive-judgmental child symptoms – child symptoms – pathogenic parenting, creating pathology in the child.

The child’s hostile-aggressive-judgemental symptoms could be symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder, but there are a number of reasons that we can rule this out. Of note in the child’s symptoms is a prominent absence of empathy.

The absence of empathy is diagnostic of only three pathologies, narcissistic personality pathology, antisocial personality pathology (the psychopath),and autism. Does the child have autism? No. Is the child a psychopath? No. That leaves narcissitic pathology.

Are there any other symptoms of narcissistic pathology? Yes. Grandiosity (judgemental), entitlement, haughty and arrogant attitude, and splitting.

Splitting (polarized and rigid perceptions; idealization-demonization) is ONLY associated with two pathologies, narcissistic and borderline personality pathology. There are only a limited number of things that cause the splitting pathology (polarization of perception).

The child’s symptoms display five narcissistic personality traits. Does the child have a narcissistic personality disorder? No. A personality disorder is displayed in all settings. The child in this instance is ONLY displaying narcissistic traits selectively toward the other parent.

Q: How does a child acquire narcissistic personalty traits selectively displayed toward a parent following divorce.

A: Through the psychogical influence and control of the child by a parent who has these narcissistic attitudes toward the other spouse-and-parent. The child is acquiring the attitudes and beliefs of the allied parent toward the other spouse-and-parent through the psychological control of the child by a narcissistic parent.

How do I know it’s a narcissistic parent? Do I have to diagnose the parent? No. I know it’s a narcissistic parent because I seeing narcissistic traits in the child.

We stay 100% focused on the child’s symptoms.

Craig Childress, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist, PSY 18857

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